Why eucalyptus deserves even more than your shower’s spotlight

October 11, 2019 at 09:37PM by CWC

Celebrity esthetician Joanna Czech, who handles the faces of actresses like Jennifer Aniston, Mandy Moore, and Uma Thurman, openly praises the skin-saving prowess of eucalyptus on Instagram. “It is healing, soothing, and decongesting,” she says,as she breaks down her technique for crushing leaves with a hammer or rolling pin to “release the essential oils that bring out the intensity of the eucalyptus” before dressing her shower head in its greenery. Though she appreciates the scent year-round, the colder seasons deserve a second helping of the relaxing extracts. “It is great for when I have a headache or allergies!” she enthuses.

While the purported bathing benefits of eucalyptus have swept up showers, we’re only scratching the surface of what the plant can be used to achieve. Take this: Wanderlusting outdoors introduced us to over a dozen varieties of the fast-growing evergreen that thrive on Hawaiian islands like Lāna‘i. “The State Forestry Division planted over 90 different species across Hawaii in the early 1900s to stabilize soil erosion issues at the time,” explains David Palumbo of The Four Seasons Lāna‘i spa, one of the most exclusive in the country. “A survey was taken in the ’70s to see which species naturalized,” he says, noting that 13 types were found thriving, some which smell like citronella, others that are more floral and akin to lavender, and even one specific beauty called “rainbow eucalyptus.”

And the potential benefits are as wide-ranging as the species. “Aside from smelling great, while we certainly need more research, there is data to suggest that eucalyptus is anti-inflammatory and has antimicrobial activity,” says Bradley Bloom, MD, a dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.

Below the neck, Kohler’s new Water Spa, which opens in Lincoln Park in Chicago this week, even capitalizes on the botanical’s reign in its signature treatment, where full-body eucalyptus and lavender exfoliation serves as an appetizer to a hydrotherapeutic rinse and stone massage (sigh!). For those recreating the moment solo, Frank Body A-Beauty Scrub ($19) uses eucalyptus’s natural antiseptic properties to fight bacteria, inflammation, and acne, while Plant Apothecary offers up its new Super Soak Organic Healing Bath ($32), touting its oil’s body-relaxing benefits as well.

And to take these benefits up another notch, many brands are coupling the chill-out properties of CBD with relaxing eucalyptus for a power duo. Consider Lord Jones’s blend of both in its High CBD Formula Bath Salts ($65) for sore muscles that need a bit of EOD love. Emera Nourishing CBD Conditioner ($25) offers double duty for those sensitive scalps we mentioned, while CBD Daily CBD Intensive Cream ($10) can be applied for its eucalyptus-meets-cannabis soothing powers. Or perhaps you prefer smoky quartz blessed by a shaman and infused with CBD and eucalyptus in Mazz Hanna’s calming Foot Spray ($55)? Wherever, whenever, social media’s favorite evergreen continues to delight, surprise, and maintain a more natural balance.